The Digital Mind: How Science is Redefining Humanity

Written by Arlindo Oliveira

Narrated by Braden Wright

What do computers, cells, and brains have in common? Computers are electronic devices designed by humans; cells are biological entities crafted by evolution; brains are the containers and creators of our minds. But all are, in one way or another, information-processing devices. The power of the human brain is, so far, unequaled by any existing machine or known living being. Over eons of evolution, the brain has enabled us to develop tools and technology to make our lives easier. Our brains have even allowed us to develop computers that are almost as powerful as the human brain itself. In this book, Arlindo Oliveira describes how advances in science and technology could enable us to create digital minds.

Exponential growth is a pattern built deep into the scheme of life, but technological change now promises to outstrip even evolutionary change. Oliveira describes technological and scientific advances that range from the discovery of laws that control the behavior of the electromagnetic fields to the development of computers. He calls natural selection the ultimate algorithm, discusses genetics and the evolution of the central nervous system, and describes the role that computer imaging has played in understanding and modeling the brain. Having considered the behavior of the unique system that creates a mind, he turns to an unavoidable question: Is the human brain the only system that can host a mind? If digital minds come into existence--and, Oliveira says, it is difficult to argue that they will not--what are the social, legal, and ethical implications? Will digital minds be our partners, or our rivals?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Nov 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781536667561

Arlindo Oliveira

Arlindo Oliveira is President of Instituto Superior Técnico (Técnico Lisboa), where he is also Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department.

Reviews for The Digital Mind

[G A McKee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The introductory part of this book gave an absorbing account of the development of microelectronics in our lifetime. This was both an authoritative and detailed account based on the author’s direct specialist knowledge and experience. He lost me later when describing binary microchip logic using verbal algebraic nomenclature. If you don’t have the time or inclination to read the whole book, I suggest you read the last chapter wherein the author discusses the much anticipated and feared phenomenon of the “technological singularity”. This is a difficult concept for us ordinary readers to grasp. He explained that it is c concept that can apply to mathematical functions. To use the simplest example, for the function 1/x, we approach a singularity when x approaches zero. The thought came to my mind that this “singularity” could be the same thing as mystical French philosopher and paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin’s “omega point” . On the fear side of the ledger, the author speculated that when humanity is governed by superhuman non-biological “artificial” intelligence, say in a hundred years from now at the current exponential rate of technological change, then its problem-solving ability may not necessarily be directed to the interests of biological humans. For example, the super intelligent robotic masters may determine that the optimum solution to the growing problem of global warming and resource depletion is “de-growth” i.e., return human society to a primitive pre-technological state as is currently experienced by chimpanzees. Or, our robotic masters might decide that their best future and the best future for the the planet as an ecosystem is to reduce the biological human population down to a more manageable number, say 500 million. Who knows? Just read the last chapter if you want to get a summary of all these concerns and arguments about artificial machine-based intelligence and consciousness - and where it might all lead